Ann, I think I'll watch. (At least they won't be singing Winchester Cathedral) Queen has some nice singable songs (You're my best friend comes to mind). AI certainly has potential howlingly funny written all over it tonight.

I can't imagine that AmIdol contestants have the kind of experience or style it takes to really carry this material off. Whatever else he was (not a nice human being) Freddie Mercury was quirky and original and smart and witty and I just don't think any group of AmIdol kids can compare.

_And_ they're not even including my two favorite Queen songs, Killer Queen (probably for the best that they're leaving that one be) and I Want to Break Free, as Idol-friendly a song as they ever did.

I'm almost sorry I don't live in the US, this sounds like self-mortification in its purest form.

I think that watching Idol tonight will be like watching a traffic accident. There is no way most of these kids are up to it.

While viewing last Sunday's episode of the Sopranos, I was struck by the quality of the young woman singing with the band playing for the wedding scenes. She was at least the equal of most of the remailning Idol contestants. It reminded me of Simon Cowell's frequent allusions to the "wedding singer" ordinariness of the contestants. Right, as usual, Mr. Cowell.